Citation Development History

Citation Development History
*Fanjet 500, later Citation 500: original production version first flown September 1969. Production version entered service 1971.

*Citation I: enhanced performance version of the Citation 500, introduced 1976. Compared to the Citation 500, the wingspan was longer, higher gross operating weight, and more powerful JT15D-1A engines.

*Citation I/SP: Special performance version of the Citation I (previously dubbed the Citation 501), introduced in 1977. Last production version of the original Citation, last one delivered in 1985. Replaced by the Citation Jet. The I/SP is certified for single-pilot operation, but the 50I and 500 are not.

*Citation II: development of the Citation I originally designated the Citation 550, featuring a fuselage stretch (max seating of 10), longer span wings, more powerful JT15D-4 engines, and increase baggage storage capacity. Certified in 1978.

*Citation II/SP: single-pilot version of the Citation II.

*Citation S/II: based on the Citation II but certified for single-pilot operation, The S/II featured aerodynamic improvements with a new supercritical wing based on what had been developed for the Citation III, and newer JT15D-4B engines. Certified in 1984 and temporarily replaced the Citation II in production until 1985 when the Citation II was reintroduced.

*Citation Bravo: based on the Citation S/II, but with newer PW530A engines, modern cockpit avionics (the Honeywell Primus suite), redesigned interior based on the Citation Ultra, and trailing link main landing gear legs. Certified in 1996, replaced both the Citation II and S/II in production. Current production standard that replaces the I/II series.

*Citation V: development of the Citation I, previously designated Citation 560. The Citation V series is a development of the Citation II/SP. Compared to the Citation II and II/SP, the V series have a slight fuselage stretch and more powerful JT15 engines. The Citation V was certified in 1988.

*Citation Ultra: based on the Citation V with more advanced avionics featuring the Honeywell Primus suite. The Ultra was certified in 1994. Also features an advanced supercritical wing based on the design work for the S/II and Bravo series.

*Citation Ultra Encore: an Ultra with new trailing link main landing gear legs, new fuel efficient PW535 engines, increased fuel payload, redesigned interior and improved systems. Current production standard of the V series.

*Citation III: Originally the Citation 650, the III is larger all-new design to supplement the smaller Citation I/II/V series. Features a swept supercritical wing, T-tail, new fuselage, and Garrett TFE731 turbofans. Certified in 1982.

*Citation VI: low-cost derivative of the Citation III with a standard interior (no customization options) and simpler cockpit avionics. Only 39 were built 1991-1995.

*Citation VII: certified in 1992, the Citation VII is a Citation III with systems improvements and more powerful Garrett engines for better hot/high performance. The VII is still in production, replacing the III/VI series.

*Citation X: Cessna’s flagship business jet (designated the 750) first certified in 1996. All new fuselage, sharply swept supercritical wings, FADEC-equipped Allison AE3007 engines, and whole host aerodynamic features to facilitate its high cruise speed. The achievements of the Citation X were so significant, the engineering and test team was awarded the Collier Trophy in 1997.

*Citation X/SP: increased performance version of the Citation X upcoming that will enhance primarily its range/fuel burn.

*Citation Excel: the Model 560 combines a shortened version of the Citation X’s fuselage with the advanced supercritical straight wings of the Citation Ultra and new PW545 engines. Certified in 1998.

*Citation Sovereign: the Model 680 features a stretched Excel fuselage combined with all-new supercritical wing with, along with the horizontal tail plane, features a new planform. Uses the PW306 (same engines as on the 329JET).

*Citation Jet: The Model 525 replaces the original I/II series with the same forward fuselage with an all new wing, new Williams FJ44 engines, and a T-tail. EFIS avionics are standard, as is single-pilot operation. Certified in 1993.

*Citation Jet CJ3: further stretch of the CJ2 with even longer wings, larger tail, and FADEC controls on more powerful FJ44 engines.

*Citation Mustang: all new light jet aircraft to compete with the likes of the Eclipse 500, smallest of the Citation family past or present. High aspect ratio supercritical wings, T-tail, and sleek contours and oval windows compared the rest of the Citation family.

*Citation Jet CJ4: the Citation CJ4 isn’t just another derivative of the Citation Jet line, but rather is a clean-sheet design that incorporates some of the best features found in other Citations. It has the Encore-plus’s cockpit and cabin, the Mustang’s wide cabin door, Sovereign-style wing performance and the CJ3’s external baggage capacity. The CJ3 will probably replace the Encore/Encore+ (CE-560) series around 2010, thus ending the Part 25 Cessna Citation 500 series aircraft production run after nearly 40 years.

Florida Flight Center is a full service Aviation Training Facility with emphasis in Citation Aircraft.